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In open-format homes, such as those with great rooms, painting the kitchen in a different color than the living room creates a sense of separation without a wall. Even though they have different themes or colors, it's important they don't clash, because one room is visible from the other.

Sage

Although sage green may not be the primary color you think of when painting a kitchen, when combined with other elements, it creates a beautiful cooking space. If you have white cupboards, sage green works especially well as a main wall color, as the cupboards contrast with the walls, brighten the kitchen and give it a clean appearance. If your nearby living room also is sage green, it will create a cohesive feel. Stainless steel in appliances and kitchen accessories coordinate nicely with sage-green walls.

Stay Green

If you really want a different color in the kitchen, consider using a stronger shade of green. Kitchens often are bold colored. Bold primary green may be acceptable, but consider a deep gray-green instead. Before using any dark or bold colors, evaluate the kitchen's size to see if the room is large enough to handle it. If you have a smaller kitchen, and the living room is visible only through a doorway, then create an accent wall. Paint only the opposing wall in dark green, and use paler colors such as butter yellow on the other walls.

Neutrals

Neutral colors, especially pale beige and off-whites, look pleasant against the sage walls of the living room. Light oak wood or whitewashed cabinet fronts make the room feel larger and look good against sage walls. Other natural shades, such as sandstone, terracotta and tans, also look good in the kitchen and are not jarring from the living room.

Blue

Blues and greens are harmonious colors. You may paint your kitchen in many shades of blue that is pleasing when viewed from the living room. Other blues tempered with gray -- just as sage green is green tempered with gray -- blend the best; examples include steel blue and sergeant blue. However, richer blues also may be used because greens and blues are natural colors often found mixed in nature. A bright-blue sky seen against an expanse of sagebrush would not clash, and your kitchen won't clash with your living room if you stay in the naturally occurring-blue-color palette.

About the Author

Writing fanzine-based articles since 1985, Kasandra Rose writes and edits articles for political and health blogs and TrueBloodNet.com and has an extensive technical writing background. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Arts in biology from Wayne State University.